The Lighthouse HD is an action/strategy game where players lead boats to safety from a lighthouse. While similar to the concept of Flight Control, The Lighthouse HD offers a unique twist on this type of game. The game isn’t action-packed to say the least, but the ocean sounds are calming and the gameplay is decent.

Games that copy Flight Control’s gameplay concept tend to include simple “survival”-type gameplay that includes leading some sort of vehicle by drawing paths while racking up a score. The Lighthouse HD is a more complex game with a different mission in all 30 levels.

I have to admit, although there are only 30 levels, they are in no way repetitive. There are different instructions for each level, making each one unique in its own way. And since there are high scores to beat for each level, there is more replay value than it would seem with only 30 levels.

Gameplay includes leading boats to safety by controlling where the lighthouse is pointing. So, unlike path-drawing games, the player has to constantly move the light to help various boats. Boats will continue on a straight path when not directed by a light or placeable buoys. Using the light and foghorn to clear fog is a cool feature. Flares also scare giant squid away.

Crates can either add to score, life, or fog horn blows.

Lifeboats from crashed ships add more points. Sometimes I had to dodge what looked like enemy vessels and sometimes ghost ships. I even had a ghost ship pretty much camp at my only exit for a level. It made the level much more difficult trying to dodge past it.

Larger vessels move and turn more slowly than smaller ones. Trying to grab crates and lifeboats in tough places is more of a job for small boats than the huge barges. I was happy that, realistically, crashing a very small boat into one of the gigantic ones doesn’t sink the larger ones. That kind of attention to detail makes me appreciate the developers of this one.

The Lighthouse HD is by no means my favorite of this type of game, but it’s definitely unique and worth giving a shot. The music and ocean sounds also give the game a great nautical atmosphere.

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iPad Screenshots

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